baby [h.s.]

twenty four

[note: italicized words are what's spoken in spanish in the scene]

            "Another drink, miss?"

I looked up from my magazine and pushed my sunglasses down with the tips of my fingers. The waiter held a tray with my empty glass.

I hummed. "I'll just have a mango smoothie this time."

He nodded and turned around.

I was at the pool. The crystal blue lagoon twinkled ahead of me and I lay in a bikini at its side.

We had gone back to the hotel yesterday after the interviewing and celebrated a bit. We had an expensive dinner and slept in Harry's bedroom. He had left this morning, telling me he had work to tend to on his own and for me to enjoy myself today. So I had decided to enjoy the weather.

The gala was that night. It was nearly two, and I figured Harry would be returning soon. I needed to start getting ready.

The waiter brought me my smooth and I took the straw between the tips of my fingers. I brought it to my lips and took a long sip. It tasted wonderful.

With the glass in my hand, I stood and walked to the edge of the pool. It was only about a meter deep, so I slipped in and leaned against the wall, holding my smoothie on the side. The water was cool. Not many people were around, so I was alone in the water. It felt refreshing. I couldn't even remember the last time I had been swimming.

I waded in the pool, finishing off my smoothie. My hands drifted through the water. I wanted to savor this serenity while I could.

The breeze blew, and the leaves of the trees around the pool deck softly rustled. Past the wall of the pool, I could see the skyline of the ancient buildings of the city. I wanted to vacation here, not just come here for work.

"Hey," Harry said. I turned my head to see him standing beside the pool. I smiled.

"Hi," I said. "How was working?"

He shrugged and sat down, crossing his legs on the concrete. I waded to the wall and propped my arms onto it.

"Met the leaders, had some meetings with some important people. Pretty boring stuff, would've rather been here with you, enjoying this day."

I nodded. "It's beautiful. I want to come back when we're not working and stay longer."

"I would, too. I haven't vacationed in such a long time, it's just been traveling for work." he said. He ran his hand through his hair, which was down for once. "My mum was the one who used to take me on them."

I pursed my lips. "Did you ever come here with her?"

He nodded. "Yeah, once. Stayed at a cheap inn a few blocks up from the beach; brought all our meals. Nothing as lavish as this, but we still had a blast." A ghost of a smile was on his lips. I knew he loved and hated talking about his family. The memories made him smile, but the reality stung.

"We ought to have a vacation, you and me," I said, changing the subject. "We've been working right hard. We could head back here, or the coast of France. Cannes is lovely, yeah? Maybe Italy?"

He smirked. "Wouldn't that be nice?"

"Not anytime soon, I guess. Maybe in some time when we're not as busy. Once I've settled into my place?"